I write new information in every newsletter, so you’ll be the first to read extra travel information and travel tips! You can find lots of info here, even recipes :) Last time I gave you a cocktail recipe, this time I’ll add a Spanish recipe, mmhh…!

Oh, don’t forget to check out some of my latest addition to my website: Travel Tools. These will come in handy when you’re planning that next trip! AND I added my own Travel Journal to the website! This month I made a city trip to Madrid and you can read all about it in my Journal.

The topics of this edition are:

• Things to Do: Destinations to visit in the month of JULY
• Things to See: Description of a new destination: ATHENS
• Things to Make: Spanish recipe: Pan con Tomate
• Things to Know: Travel Updates: Swine Flu
• Fun Facts
• Tip of the Month
• Quote of the Month

• Washington DC

  The 4th of July is coming up! And where to celebrate it better than the city where the President lives! They have an all-day event, with a parade and fireworks over the Washington Monument (usually around 9.15 PM). Besides the Independence Day festivities, there is a special two week festival taking place at the end of June, beginning of July. It’s called the Smithsonian Folklife Festival. You will find musicians, artists, storytellers,... The Festival is held outdoors on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., between the Smithsonian museums. There is no admission charge. For more information, check out their website. Don’t forget it can be hot and humid around this time of the year.
  Of course there’s much more to see in Washington DC: the White House, the US Capitol, great museums (National Museum of Natural History, National Gallery of Art and National Air/Space Museum).

• Paris

  The USA isn’t the only one celebrating, on 14th July the French celebrate Bastille Day (it’s the French national holiday). And of course they celebrate it with lots of festivities, especially in Paris. The Champs-Elysées is decorated with flags, there’s a big parade in the morning with jets flying over in formation and fireworks in the evening (around 10.30 PM). So, it’s a nice time to visit Paris and the sights. And if you can’t make it to Paris, every little village in France has their own festivities with street fun, fireworks,...

Athens, capital of Greece, has something interesting for everyone. Either if you’re traveling alone or with kids. Kids are more than welcome in Greece and there are many historical buildings for them to see to keep those curious minds busy. :) Or take them to the Attica Zoo in Spata, Athens' and Greece's largest zoo.
Have a taste of the ambience by taking a walk through the Pláka. Visit the famous Parthenon on the Acropolis. And don’t forget to pay a visit at the Erechtheion with the Karyatids (female figures) used as architectural support.

You can also make Athens a stop before visiting the beautiful Greek Islands!


Things to Make

Pan con Tomate

Because my last trip was to Madrid, I decided a Spanish recipe would be nice for this edition! I found a great website that offers Easy Spanish recipes!
Pan con Tomate is essentially just toast with tomato, garlic and olive oil. The only thing different here is they do not make a sauce, they rub the garlic and tomato on the toast. Try this one at home next time you are thinking about tapas. This makes a nice snack and would be easy as you probably have these ingredients laying around anyway. Enjoy!

Serves: 4-6 Preparation time: 10 minutes

INGREDIENTS

1 loaf of rustic artisan bread or baguette
1-2 ripe tomatoes
1-2 large cloves of garlic
1-2 TB premium Spanish extra virgin olive oil
salt and pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS Cut the bread into nice 1/2 inch thick pieces and toast or grill until firm. Slice the top off a thick piece of garlic and rub on the toast. Now slice off the top of a tomato and rub the tomato on the toast. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste. It could not be easier!
Don't forget to check out the website for more Spanish recipes!!!


Things to Know: Travel Updates

There is still a lot going on about the Swine Flu (H1N1 Flu), so if you want to check the latest updates, go to the CDC website for Novel H1N1 Flu and Travel. What can you do to stay healthy?

• Stay informed by checking the website of CDC regularly. (You can also find a link on my website: Travel Tools)
• Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.
• Take everyday actions to stay healthy.
  • Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
  • Stay home if you get sick. CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
  Source: CDC H1N1 Flu

Fun Facts